Yellowjackets Blanked 2-0 at Northern Colorado

Box Score

GREELEY, Colo. – A dominating pitching performance from Northern Colorado starting pitcher, Mark Shannon, proved to be too much for the Montana State Billings baseball team as it dropped the third game of a three-game set, 2-0 at Jackson Field Sunday afternoon.  With the loss, the Yellowjackets fell to 8-20 on the year, while UNC improved to 7-15.

“We played pretty darn well today,” head coach Chris Brown said.  “Offensively we had a couple of opportunities and we didn’t take advantage of them.  All in all it was a good team effort and we look carry that into next weekend.”

Shannon (1-1) pitched a complete game, six hit shutout with 11 strikeouts and just three walks.  The Yellowjackets also had good pitching performances from starter Brian Howe (1-6) who went five innings allowing six hits, one earned run, one walk and three strikeouts.  Ryan Pollock pitched the final three innings allowing four hits, one earned run, one walk and two strikeouts.

“Brian Howe and Ryan Pollock pitched both threw really well and defensively we picked it,” Brown added.  “Their pitcher (Mark Shannon) threw lights out and hats off to him as he was on today and dialed in.”

Offensively the Yellowjackets were led by Matt Schoonover who was 2 for 4, while Brian Dukart was 2 for 3.  The Jackets tallied six hits in the game, but left seven runners on base.  UNC had 10 hits and left nine stranded.

Jarrod Berggren belted a solo home run in the third giving the Bears a 1-0 lead.  The Jackets had a great scoring chance in the sixth as Schoonover tripled down the right field line, but Shannon got Jordan Kessler to strikeout to end the threat.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Bears added the insurance run as Seth Budde began the inning with a lead-off double and was singled home by TJ Berge for a 2-0 lead. 

MSUB attempted another last-at bat rally as the first two batters were retired, but Jaret Chatwood singled to right, followed by a Dukart walk and a Blake Nelson walk loaded the bases.  Unfortunately the Jackets came up empty handed as Shannon retired Chris Round to end the threat and the game.

The Yellowjackets return home to begin a 16-game home stand with Saint Martin’s beginning Saturday, April 10 at 3 p.m. at Dehler Park in the first of two doubleheaders.